Last week at this time I was in Florida enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Now I’ve been back in the cold weather for a few days and already done with winter! Usually early December is pretty mild, but this seems to be the year of strange weather so I never know what to expect. Luckily I have been able to keep my workouts inside as needed by using my bike, weights, and workout videos.
New Workouts and Cold Weather
I tried something new this week by downloading a free trial of BBG. I’ve heard some good things from other runners using it for strength training and I felt like I needed to change things up with my workouts. It definitely did the trick and left me nice and sore! I’m not sure if I will try a monthly subscription after my 7 day free trial is up on Tuesday. These workouts are tough and definitely a bit humbling. I think it would be good to do something like this during the winter, especially because it includes things like plyos that I tend to avoid while working out on my own.
Monday: Rest day/35 minute walk
After running on Saturday and Sunday, I decided not to run on Monday. Rob and I went for a walk so it was nice to still get outside and move a bit before laying on lounge chairs the rest of the day.
Tuesday: 4 miles and PT exercises
I was still in Florida for this run and it was much more humid than the previous days. I wanted to run a little faster, but I really wasn’t used to that weather. Little did I know how much drastically cooler it would be in Baltimore just a few days later!
Wednesday: 3.8 miles plus BBG Abs
My first run back in Baltimore, and the weather was still ok. This was the first day I tried BBG. I did the ab workout and thought it was really hard. I was sore until Saturday.
Thursday: 30 minute spinning plus BBG Legs
I did my own spinning workout (just put on Pandora and created intervals based on the music) and then did the BBG leg workout. My legs were SO heavy by the end.
Friday: 10 minutes spinning plus BBG Arms
I was going to run, but didn’t feel like layering up just to be outside for like 25 minutes. This arm workout wasn’t really just for arms- it had some of the same moves from abs and legs (which were still tired from the other workouts). It didn’t feel like my upper body got in as good of a workout as I would have liked, but I did get in some cardio from this workout!
Saturday: 8.3 miles and core work
This was my coldest run of the season so far. I think it was around 25 degrees but felt like 19. Once I got going it wasn’t too bad, and luckily the wind was pretty mild. I just really hate wearing so many layers!
Sunday: Pilates and Mobility work
Followed by wine, compression socks, and pajamas.
If I do decide to continue BBG I’ll probably spread my workouts out more throughout the week. Starting out on a Wednesday is not ideal because I did all 3 strength workouts back to back (knowing I would probably run longer on Saturday and rest on Sunday). I haven’t quite figured out the “cardio” workouts. It looks like it just tells you to exercise for 40 minutes and sets a timer.
I always feel a little more accomplished during weeks when I change up my workouts or do something that leaves me a little sore!
What was the last workout you did that left you feeling sore?
Anyone else try BBG? Thoughts on paying for a subscription?
Did it get cold where you live this week? Are you still running outside?
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I don’t think I know what BBG is, would I like it? you know I am a sucker for pure barre and tend to get turned off to everything else lol. I do get sore right away when I do my own strength routine in the gym involving squats. it always makes me laugh that I get sore considering how much leg work I do already in pure barre! I guess something different always does the trick though. and I am done with winter too even though it technically didn’t start.
BBG stands for Beach Body Guides. Its just a workout plan but I have heard its a good way to strength train. If you are looking to try something different you could always download the free trial!
Haha I went from the warm Florida weather last week back to cold northern Virginia this week too! Definitely going to take some more time to warm up before my runs this week 🙂
Its such a touch transition!
Interested in what you think of BBG. So many people go ape over it. I’ave considered doing it in thepast just for some personal motivation but I”ve never pulled the trigger.
I hadn’t really considered it until lately, but winter seems like the perfect time to give something like this a try.
I agree, it’s great to change up the routine and work different muscles (or, at the very least, work them differently than usual). The last time I was brutally sore from a workout was several years ago when I was first introduced to P90X….I could barely lift my arm to brush my teeth LOL. It got real cold (I’m in Iowa) this past week or so. I seldom ever run on my treadmill, so I’m outside for almost all of my runs.
I am sure I would be really sore from P90x or anything like that! I am just so used to my usual workouts.
Ok I have no idea what BBG is but now I am intrigued
It stands for Beach Body Guide and I think the app is called Sweat with Kayla. Ive heard of runners using it for strength training during their off-season.
Do you like your spin bike? I have been toying with the idea of getting one. Was it hard to put together?
I do like it! We got it in October and my husband put it together. I think the hardest part was getting it into the basement because it was really heavy! We got it on Amazon an I think they offer to set it up for like $70 or so.
I’ve heard so many people rave about BBG and see really good results – but I have also heard that it can make you super sore for running. It’s so motivating and convenient though to have a strength plan written out!
I don’t think I could do these workouts while also training! I would definitely need to plan my running around it. It seems like a good plan for the off-season!
Was each BBG workout different? Do they include weights? I’m intrigued! That must have been interesting going from a run in Florida to 25 degrees in Baltimore! haha!
I only did 1 week with the free trial, but they had ab, leg, and arm workouts that were each 28 minutes. A few exercises used weights but you could probably get by without them.
I few Pure Barre classes ago, I was quite sore the next day. I also have at-home exercises I do and spread them out, so I’m sore after those too. Side lunges always get me and I have knots for two days after. It’s always a good sore because I know I worked and my muscles are hopefully getting stronger.
I love that feeling of being good-sore!
It sounds like you had a great week of workouts! I bet it was nice in Florida, definitely tough getting back to this wintry weather! That fall photo is gorgeous! I wish we still had more leaves on our trees.
I’ve never even heard of BBG but I love a workout that makes me feel like a slacker…barre class was the last time I felt really sore from a workout…it always challenges me!
I find barre classes to be tough too! I agree, its always good to do something that is a real challenge!
I only did one run outside last week and it was on freshly fallen snow. It was pretty cool, although the snow can go away now. Nice job on your workouts! I feel sore after I do a lot of push-ups and I like that feeling too.
I love running on fresh snow! I think I did about 50 pushups during the arm workout and I thought that was really hard! Im very impressed that you do 100.
I did some BBG workouts over last year and found them really tough too! I like them a lot- but they’re definitely better spread out, as you learned. And I find it tough to include them AND train for a race – one or other for a period of time works best for me, and I’ve gotten away from the workouts.
Awesome that you could soak up the warm days in FL!
I could see how it could be too much to do BBG while training. It definitely seems like something good to do during the off-season!
That is a good ab workout if you were sore that long!
The switch from Florida to home is always hard when it is bitter cold. I did that recently and I wanted to go back and enjoy those milder days when I stepped off the plane lol
Its a tough time of year to come back from the warm weather!
Where was your 3.8 mile run done? That trail looks beautiful!
Its a super short “path” near my house…it barely goes a full mile and crosses over some roads. So its not ideal for running but it is really pretty!
We went to Florida earlier in november while it was still quite nice here. Perhaps I should start going in December so I can take advantage of the sun while its cold up here!
I agree, the 3.8 mile run looks gorgeous. To bad the path isn’t longer
The only problem with going in December is coming back to the cold weather!
The trees in your Wednesday pic look so pretty. I am surprised those leaves are hanging on when I’ve been hearing it’s cold/freezing up north many days now!
I would gladly send some of this summery weather up to you, if you would send some chilly weather down. It just shouldn’t be in the mid-80s during December. The meteorologists say this is going to a warmer than usual winter which stinks… now I have to wait until this time next year for some cool days! :/
I think that may have been the last of the leaves! That pic was taken right before the cold front came through.
Sorry that you are gonna have such a warm winter! Actually, that sounds pretty nice…you can definitely send some of that my way!
I’m the world’s worst at “working out” BUT every Monday in warm weather I’m sore from water skiing. Does that count? Probably not. LOL. You did have a temperature swing last week! So did I. I actually ran a couple of mornings in the upper 20s after coming home from that beautiful FL weather. It’s the wind that makes such a huge difference in how cold it really feels for me. Thanks for linking, Lisa.
Yea the wind definitely makes the weather feel worse! Its tough to come back from Florida weather to the cold!
I haven’t heard of this workout BBG. Sounds interesting. I do already pay for a trainer but I would look into this if I wasn’t doing the other. Your path in Baltimore looks so fall like and peaceful!
I agree change is good. Thanks for linking up Lisa!
BBG has strength training intervals. Its definitely a challenge because Im not at all used to these types of workouts!